Iranian Artists Killed in Crackdowns During Nationwide Protests
Since the onset of protests on December 28, 2025, government forces have claimed the lives of at least five Iranian artists. On January 13, the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) denounced these fatalities, identifying the victims as sculptor Mehdi Salahshour, fashion designer Rubina Aminian, assistant director Javad Ganji, hip-hop musician Soroush Soleimani, and actor Ahmad Abbasi. Salahshour was shot in Mashhad on January 8, while Aminian, aged 23, was killed the same day near Shariaty Technical College in Tehran. Ganji lost his life on January 9 in Tehran, Abbasi was shot on Pirouzi Street, and Soleimani was killed on January 4 in Hafshejan. Julie Trébault from ARC cautioned against extrajudicial killings and urged for global intervention, noting approximately 2,000 confirmed civilian deaths.
Key facts
- At least five Iranian artists killed since protests began December 28, 2025
- Artists at Risk Connection issued condemnation statement January 13
- Mehdi Salahshour shot with Kalashnikov rifle in Mashhad on January 8
- Rubina Aminian killed near Shariaty Technical and Vocational College in Tehran
- Javad Ganji died from gunfire in Tehran's Sadeghiyeh area on January 9
- Ahmad Abbasi shot on Pirouzi Street during same January 9 demonstration
- Soroush Soleimani fatally shot in Hafshejan on January 4
- Approximately 2,000 civilian deaths confirmed by human rights organizations
Entities
Artists
- Mehdi Salahshour
- Javad Ganji
- Rubina Aminian
- Soroush Soleimani
- Ahmad Abbasi
- Julie Trébault
- Jafar Panahi
- Mohammad Rasoulof
- Ashley Cheung
Institutions
- Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)
- Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
- Shariaty Technical and Vocational College
- Deadline
- ArtAsiaPacific
- Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Locations
- Iran
- Mashhad
- Tehran
- Sadeghiyeh
- Pirouzi Street
- Hafshejan